OEKO-TEX vs GOTS: Welches Zertifikat schützt dich wirklich?

According to OEKO-TEX's 2024 update, their limits are often stricter than what governments require. Formaldehyde, for example, must stay below 75 ppm for adult textiles. For baby items (Product Class I) The limit is ≤0.1 mg/kg—extremely low and effectively undetectable in practical terms.

The Product Classes

OEKO-TEX groups textiles by how much skin contact they have:

• Class I: Baby items (ages 0-3). Strictest standards, including tests for what happens when babies chew on fabric.

• Class II: Direct skin contact—shirts, underwear, bedding.

• Class III: Limited contact—jackets, linings.

• Class IV: Furnishing materials.

If you're shopping for baby textiles or have sensitive skin, Class I gives you the highest level of chemical testing.

What OEKO-TEX Doesn't Tell You

Here's the catch: OEKO-TEX doesn't mean organic. Polyester textiles or conventional cotton can pass these tests just fine, as long as the finished textiles are clean.

It also doesn't check working conditions in factories or whether textile production polluted local waterways. That is, OEKO-TEX focuses on what's in your textiles - it's strictly about product safety.

What Is GOTS? The Gold Standard for Organic Textiles

If OEKO-TEX asks "Are these textiles safe to wear?" then GOTS asks "Were these textiles made responsibly from start to finish?"

The Global Organic Textile Standard is considered the world's leading certification for organic textiles. GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard covers everything from how the cotton was grown to how workers in the factory are treated.

What "Organic" Actually Means Here

For a product to carry the GOTS label:

• "GOTS Organic" = 95-100% organic content

• "Made with Organic" = 70-94% organic fibres

These organic fibres come from farms practicing organic farming—no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs.

Chemicals GOTS Won't Allow

Rather than testing finished products, GOTS controls what goes into production. The banned list includes:

• Azo dyes that release carcinogenic amines

• Formaldehyde finishes

• Chlorine bleach (only oxygen-based bleaching allowed)

• Heavy metals in processing

• PFAS (banned in Version 7.0)

• Phthalates in prints

The idea is: if you never use toxic chemicals in the production process, they won't end up in the finished fabric.

Environmental Standards

GOTS requires some serious environmental responsibility:

• Wastewater treatment at all wet-processing facilities—so dye water gets cleaned before discharge

• Sustainable packaging—no PVC, recycled or FSC-certified paper only

• Approved chemicals only—manufacturers must use GOTS-certified dyes and finishes

This matters. Textile production is a major polluter, especially in countries where regulations are weak. GOTS certified textiles come from facilities that actually treat their wastewater, which significantly reduces the environmental impact of textile production.

The Labor Side

This is where GOTS really differs from OEKO-TEX. All certified facilities must meet International Labour Organization standards:

• No child labor, no forced labor

• Safe working conditions

• Fair wages (and Version 7.0 now requires plans toward living wages)

• Reasonable hours

• Right to organize

When you buy GOTS certified textiles, you know the people who made them were treated fairly. That's something OEKO-TEX Standard 100 simply doesn't cover.

OEKO-TEX vs GOTS: Direct Comparison

Now let's address the question you came here for: what's the actual difference between these two bedding certifications and textile standards?

Feature	OEKO-TEX® Standard 100	GOTS
Primary Focus	Chemical safety in finished product	Full supply chain sustainability
Fiber Requirements	None—any fiber (cotton, polyester, synthetic)	Minimum 70% certified organic fibres
Chemical Testing	Tests 100+ substances in finished product	Controls inputs; bans toxic chemicals throughout
Environmental Scope	Limited to product content	Comprehensive—organic farming, wastewater treatment, packaging
Labor Standards	Not included	Required—ILO compliance mandatory
Certification Method	Lab testing of product samples	Annual on-site audits + supply chain traceability
What the Label Means	"This item is free from harmful chemical residues"	"This item is organically sourced and ethically produced"

Which Certification System Is Better?

Neither is universally "better"—they address different concerns. For most brands focused on sustainability, GOTS is absolutely worth it, as it gives a credible marketing story that connects with conscious consumers.

However, if your primary concern is chemical exposure—perhaps for a baby with eczema or someone with chemical sensitivities—OEKO-TEX's rigorous chemical testing provides specific assurance that textile products are safe.

The ideal? Ethically produced textile products certified to both standards. Many brands now get both OEKO-TEX and GOTS certifications. That's the strongest option if you can find it.

Why Do These Certifications Matter? Real-World Applications

Let's get practical. Here's when OEKO-TEX and GOTS matter most:

Baby Items and Children's Clothing

Babies put everything in their mouths. Their skin is more permeable than adult skin. For these reasons, OEKO-TEX Class I is valuable—it specifically tests for safety when fabric gets chewed or sucked on.

But GOTS certified organic cotton tends to be softer and more breathable too, since it skips the silicone softeners and formaldehyde finishes. For baby textiles, having both is ideal.

Organic Cotton Bedding

You spend a third of your life in bed. For gots certified bedding, you're getting organic fibres processed without harmful substances. Good for anyone who sweats at night or has allergies.

For organic cotton bedding, GOTS ensures full organic certification. For eucalyptus (Lyocell/TENCEL) bedding: If the eucalyptus comes from FSC-certified sustainable forests, it can be part of a GOTS-certified product (up to 30% of total fiber content).

Otherwise, look for OEKO-TEX to guarantee chemical safety.

For Sensitive Skin and Allergies

If you've ever broken out from new clothes, you know how frustrating it can be. OEKO-TEX screens for the allergenic dyes and chemicals that commonly trigger contact dermatitis. GOTS certified organic cotton is also less likely to contain residual processing chemicals.

Activewear, Synthetics, and Semi-Synthetic Fabrics

GOTS applies to organic natural fibers—cotton, linen, wool, hemp. But a lot of popular fabrics don't fit that category.

• Synthetics like polyester, nylon, and spandex have no organic version. For your workout leggings or swimsuit, OEKO-TEX is what you want. It ensures the synthetic textile passed chemical testing.

• Semi-synthetic fabrics like lyocell, Tencel, modal, and bamboo viscose come from plant cellulose but go through chemical processing. They're not "organic" in the GOTS sense, so they typically carry OEKO-TEX certification instead. If you're buying eucalyptus bedding or a lyocell shirt, look for OEKO-TEX to confirm it's free of harmful residues.

For Ethical Shopping

If fair wages and worker welfare matter to you, GOTS matters. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 alone doesn't verify that workers were treated fairly. GOTS ensures textiles weren't made in sweatshops—the social criteria require ethical standards at every processing level, audited annually.

How to Verify Certifications (Don't Get Greenwashed)

Both GOTS and OEKO-TEX provide ways to confirm OEKO-TEX certification and GOTS certification are legitimate:

• For GOTS: Look for the GOTS label with license number and certifier name (example: "GOTS Organic, CU 123456 issued by Control Union"). You can verify this on the GOTS public database. The database confirms organic integrity and full traceability. If there's no license number, be cautious.

• For OEKO-TEX: Check for the certificate number and QR code. Use the OEKO-TEX Label Check tool to verify validity.

This full traceability is what separates legitimate textile certifications from vague "eco friendly" marketing claims.

Practical Tips: Choosing the Right Certification for Your Needs

• For baby products: Prioritize OEKO-TEX Class I for chemical testing assurance. If you want organic materials, choose GOTS certified organic cotton. Ideally, find products with both.

• For ethical bedding and sheets: GOTS ensures the cotton was grown without synthetic pesticides and processed without toxic dyes. OEKO-TEX confirms no harmful residues in the finished fabric. For organic cotton bedding, choose GOTS for environmental impact; add OEKO-TEX for extra assurance. Eucalyptus bedding (lyocell/Tencel) typically carries OEKO-TEX since it's not organic fiber.

• For activewear and non-organic fabrics: GOTS only covers organic natural fibers. For polyester, nylon, or spandex, look for OEKO-TEX. Same goes for semi-synthetics like lyocell, Tencel, modal, or bamboo viscose—they're plant-based but chemically processed, so OEKO-TEX is your safety check.

• On a budget: Prioritize certifications for items with the most skin contact—underwear, baby textiles, organic cotton bedding. Outerwear matters less for direct chemical exposure. For an eco friendly bedroom, start with gots certified bedding or eucalyptus bedding with OEKO-TEX.

Final Thoughts: Making an Informed Choice

Understanding OEKO-TEX vs GOTS empowers you to move beyond vague "eco-friendly" claims and make choices that actually matter—for your family's health, for garment workers, and for the planet.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 answers the question: "Is this safe to wear?" It provides rigorous chemical testing for the finished product, particularly valuable for babies, sensitive skin, and intimate apparel.

GOTS answers a broader question: "Was this made responsibly?" It verifies organic integrity, bans harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and PFAS throughout production, and enforces environmental and ethical standards across the entire supply chain.

They're not competitors—they're complementary. The textile industry needs both: process control (GOTS) and product verification (OEKO-TEX). When you find items carrying both certifications, you're getting the highest level of assurance available.

Next time you're comparing labels in a store, you'll know exactly what you're looking at. That alphabet soup? It's actually a roadmap to clothing you can feel good about—inside and out.

At Orbasics, all our basics are GOTS certified, reflecting our commitment to organic materials and ethical production. Learn more about what GOTS certification means or explore our guide to chemical-free clothing.

Frequently Asked Questions to Oeko tex vs Gots

Is GOTS certified or OEKO-TEX better?

Neither is universally better—they serve different purposes. GOTS is more comprehensive, covering organic fiber content, ethical production, and environmental responsibility. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 focuses specifically on chemical safety in the finished product. For maximum assurance, look for products certified to both standards.

What is GOTS or OEKO-TEX?

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies textiles containing at least 70% organic fibers, verifying sustainable farming, eco-friendly processing, and fair labor throughout the supply chain. The GOTS Global Organic Textile standard is recognized worldwide as the gold standard for organic textile standard GOTS certification. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tests finished textile products for over 100 harmful substances to ensure chemical safety for the wearer.

Does GOTS mean non-toxic?

GOTS prohibits many toxic chemicals during processing—including azo dyes, formaldehyde, chlorine bleach, and heavy metals—which significantly reduces toxicity. However, GOTS primarily controls production inputs rather than testing every finished product as OEKO-TEX does. In practice, GOTS certified products should be very low in toxic residues due to the strict input controls.

Does GOTS allow formaldehyde?

No. GOTS explicitly bans formaldehyde as an anti-crease finish and sets strict residue limits. The standard requires any formaldehyde traces in finished textiles to be below 20 mg/kg—essentially not detectable.

Does GOTS certified mean no chemicals?

Not exactly. GOTS bans toxic and hazardous chemicals but does allow approved dyes, finishes, and processing aids that meet strict safety criteria. The standard uses positive lists of approved substances rather than claiming zero chemicals. The result is textiles processed with significantly safer chemistry than conventional alternatives.

Does OEKO-TEX allow pesticides?

OEKO-TEX tests for pesticide residues and sets strict limits—but it doesn't regulate how raw materials were farmed. A conventional cotton product can pass OEKO-TEX tests if pesticide residues are below threshold levels. If avoiding pesticides in farming is important to you, look for GOTS or organic certification alongside OEKO-TEX.